Which maternal characteristic is most strongly associated with giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome?
A)Low levels of intelligence (i.e., mental retardation)
B)Consumption of alcohol
C)Higher maternal age
D)Exposure to lead or mercury

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strongest maternal characteristic associated with giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome is higher maternal age, particularly for women over the age of 35. This is because as women age, the likelihood of errors during meiosis increases, resulting in an extra copy of chromosome 21 in the egg cell, which leads to Down syndrome. Low levels of intelligence, alcohol consumption, and exposure to lead or mercury have not been found to have a significant association with an increased risk of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome.

Which Maternal Characteristic Is Most Strongly Associated with Giving Birth